Story by 89 WLS reporter John Dempsey
(CHICAGO) Indicted Illinois State Representative LaShawn Ford appeared on WLS this morning, two days after pleading not guilty to bank fraud charges.

Ford initially told Bruce Wolf and Dan Proft on "The Don and Roma Show" on WLS that he did not want to discuss the charges against him, saying "Let me just ask you guys, are you guys serious? Are you serious about asking me that question?"

But Ford eventually relented and did briefly discuss the allegations that he lied to a bank to get a line of credit extension, saying "Of course I've fallen on hard times, but you know what, we all have fallen on hard times. It's totally unfortunate that this situation that you guys want to talk about has impacted my life."

Ford later said, "If you were in my shoes you would say 'I would like for justice to be served, and not to allow people to be tried in the media'."

Federal authorities say Ford fraudulently obtained a $500,000 increase and a two-year extension on a line of credit from a Chicago bank. Authorities allege he used the money for personal expenses instead of putting it toward work related to his real-estate business.

Defense attorney Thomas Durkin says the charges had nothing to do with Ford's public office, and he's questioning the motives of authorities who brought the charges.

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